I have refined my scanning setup.
-
I have refined my scanning setup.
I have a ThinkPad with FireWire running VueScan connected to a Nikon CoolScan 8000 ED.
The scanner can scan 35mm and medium format.
If you only do 35mm, the 5000 ED is the device most CoolScan fans will use.
I’ve used the majority of these home film scanners and have concluded I like the CoolScans best. With caveats
-
Caveats: VueScan is the best scanning software but it sucks in so many ways. After you scan, you still need something like Negative Lab Pro and Lightroom to convert to a positive.
Don’t get these scanners unless you have someone in your country who can repair them (US / UK / Germany all have strong users and service culture).
I still far and away prefer using this sort of setup compared to dslr scanning. It’s not for people who want speed, though.
-
Other caveats: most people should not scan film! You should pay a pro! This is a whole other world of gear and arcane meditative practices you shouldn’t try unless you want to get into this rabbit hole (or you shoot a ton of film)
-
John W Sheldon :d6:replied to Adrianna Tan last edited by
@skinnylatte is Negative Lab Pro better at handling the negative to positive conversation and the color mask correction? I haven't seen any side-by-side comparisons, but I have seen some good results from VueScan's own inversion and color mask correction (enough better than my default Epson software that I was just looking at buying a VueScan license).
-
Adrianna Tanreplied to John W Sheldon :d6: last edited by
@johnwsheldon oh, I like it much more than vuescan’s own. I’ll try to post a side by side comparison when I can
-
@skinnylatte
I have a ThinkPad with Windows XP on it just for my CoolScan so I can run the original Nikon scan software. It's less powerful and convenient, but offers much better negative conversation OOTB. -
@noah I’ve been trying to get Nikon scan to work ;/ think it has something to do with this laptop having the wrong FireWire chipset
-
@skinnylatte
Ah that's a shame. You have to love mid 2000s tech and weird chipsets! I have this model card that works for me. -
@noah I got the exact one but somehow Nikon scan still crashes. I’m going to reinstall and try again